James Pattinson's likely return to fitness in time for Australia's ODI visit to England and Ireland may not be enough to get him on the trip, as the national selectors ponder whether to afford him a more comprehensive pre-Ashes scouting visit on an Australia A tour of the UK later.

Australia's coach Mickey Arthur revealed that secondary assessments of Pattinson's back injury, sustained in the field during the second Test against West Indies, indicated a probable recovery time of a little more than a month, meaning he is a strong chance to be available for the ODI tour, which begins with a warm-up against Leicester at Grace Road on June 21. Peter Siddle will have a similar recovery time from his back complaint, though the selectors have indicated a reluctance to use him in ODIs after an outstanding Test summer.

"Initial results did [make me question Pattinson's availability], the secondary results were that once our medical staff had looked at it in Melbourne and came back they were a lot more positive," Arthur said. "It is virtually the same at this stage as what Sidds has got, which means it's four or five weeks instead of three months in terms of a stress fracture. So that, I must put a little asterisk next to it, is the information we have at present. I think we'll know a lot more once Sidds and Patto get back to Melbourne and go through examinations there."

Cricket Australia's longer-term planning for the next Ashes series may yet see Pattinson given more time off before he and other possible 2013 Ashes tourists take part in an Australia A tour of England later in the northern summer. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Ben Cutting and Josh Hazlewood are others likely to be considered for the tour, which will afford them valuable experience of first-class bowling in England a year out from the Ashes.

The Australia A expedition runs parallel to Arthur's desire for a wide range of young bowlers to be utilised in limited-overs cricket between now and the 2015 World Cup, as he gathers a squad of cricketers with plenty of relevant ODI experience ahead of the game's showpiece tournament. Reflecting on his time as coach of South Africa, Arthur said Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were commonly rotated in and out of the limited-overs side until tournaments or series reached their most critical junctures.

"I think you've seen that more and more through the summer, it's impossible for guys to play with that intensity all the time," Arthur said. "Often Morne and Dale didn't play together in teams so we'd use one here, one here and then when it came to the big game we'd use them all.

"We tried to replicate that through our summer. We wanted to get off to a good start and then through the middle phases we tried some players and had a look at different options and rested some players. Then we felt come the final time we had our best possible team available, fit, rested, both mentally and physically and ready to go for the end of the summer. We put a lot of time and effort into trying to manage it and we'll continue to do that."

Australia's fitness and medical staff has remained unchanged since the 2010-11 Ashes series, a rare facet of CA operations not to have felt the full force of the Argus review, which instituted a raft of personnel and procedural changes around Australian cricket. The team's physios and doctors are now accountable to the performance manager Pat Howard, and Arthur said they and the developmental staff employed at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane were working assiduously to reduce the number of injuries sustained by the nation's fast bowlers.

"Look, whether we like it or not we're going to keep picking up injuries to our quick bowlers - bowling is a bit of an unnatural thing. So that's going to happen, we've just got to learn to manage it," Arthur said. "What's going on at the CoE I think our sports scientists are all over it, they're giving us a lot of information. One thing I'd like to reiterate is yes they're giving us information but ultimately the call lies with the captain, coach and selectors as to how far we take and use that information.

"Our CoE have been very proactive, they're looking at all sorts of ways to prevent it and all sorts of workload issues. I'm comfortable that we're exploring every avenue in that and I just think it is the nature of the art of bowling. Peter Siddle came into the tour, his workloads were exactly where our medical staff wanted them. He'd played a lot of four-day cricket coming into the series [for Victoria]. James Pattinson we worked on through the whole one-day series, he was right on course in terms of his workload.

"Patto's young, we're still going to see him breaking down a little bit, that's going to be the nature of it. Sidds is probably bearing the effects of a pretty rigorous summer where he bowled a huge amount in Test cricket. Their preparation, we couldn't have done anything more or anything less around that. They had the numbers, the workloads, they had everything, and it's just disappointing that we've lost both of them now."

@LesGrossman... Agree on Bailey, he is much more than just a batsman, his captaincy skills are probably the best in SS bringing an average team to the top of Shield & OD'ers over the last few years... Compare the players in NSW, Vic, Qld, WA with Tassie & they have out performed their much more fanciful opposition across both formats... His ability on the seaming Tas pitches must be a factor for duties against Eng...

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | April 24, 2012, 9:44 GMT

@LesGrossman... Nice to read a good reply - agree with much you say... I think Burns is a prospect that needs more higher reps to show us his skills - he's done well so far in FC from the games I've seen... Surprised no one picks up Tom Coopers growing form - who like Klinger has to play every 2nd match away from Adelaide & have some of their best scores away from home... Also agree about MJ at Test level - just hasn't followed through with any consistency... Re: Aust A - the NSP have already given this years AIS (CoE) squad, with many having a chance at being in the Eng A tour this winter -- Burns, Finch, Hughes, Lynn, Maddinson, M Marsh, Paine, Patterson, S Smith... Bowlers include Bird, NC-N, Cummins - though I think Cutting, Butterworth would be good in Eng conditions...

POSTED BY
LesGrossman
on | April 24, 2012, 0:08 GMT

Bailey, I will concede, think he maybe starting to show his full promise, Dan Christian (can bat, just don't confuse him with the slogger we see in T20's and one dayers), David Hussey (yes he's old, but always makes runs, needs rewarding), Andrew McDonald (big fan since I saw him hit 160 off about 90 balls in a shield game) and as a roughie Peter Handscomb. Like the kid big time, he'll open for Oz in 3-4 years. I think the current aussie batting line up is where it should be,they are the best we have but needs better coaching. The bowlers got better coaching under Craig McDermott and now that is a real strength. The batting coaching needs to be simpler, modern batting coaching goes away from the basics of watch the ball and play each ball on it's merit. All McDermott did was tell the bowlers to pitch it up and bowl at the top of off stump. I know this as I still play grade cricket with and against state players and when you talk batting with them they over complicate a simple task.

POSTED BY
LesGrossman
on | April 23, 2012, 23:46 GMT

@ zenboomerang, when it comes to to mitchell johnson I was discussing test cricket, not ODI's and T20's. You cannot hide the facts that his test stats were woeful for 3 years, not just for a "few matches" as AKS286 stated. Klinger has good stats, although he does bat on the easily the flattest track in Oz, Cowan has better stats on tougher decks the last 2 years, he will be ok. As for voges, I'm from WA and watch a lot of shield cricket, he used to nick off to gully 2 out of 3 innings, but this season he changed his game to cover the line better and had a good year, but needs to back up again. His career is one good season, then one average season. Jaques, well he last played test cricket 4 YEARS AGO, so if we were debating his selection 3 years ago, I would agree. He has NOT PERFORMED the last 2 seasons for NSW, FACT! Batters that need a look in for 'A' tour are Quiney, Liam Davis (needs another good season though), Joe Burns (young guy, can play), Forrest, Nevill (under rated)...

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 23, 2012, 17:45 GMT

@LesGrossman a/c to you all are bad then tell us whose left?

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 23, 2012, 17:38 GMT

@LesGrossman johnson played few matches not up to the mark but tell me any player who never face poor performance in their life? johnson batting is better compare to any tailender in this world. johnson is having speed, variety. he is still Oz best strike bowler in all format. if Oz will travel to asian pitch then pattinson, hilfy,cummins, harris will do nothing and lyon is like school boy for asian teams.mitch performance against asian teams are great. hilfy is the best example for bounce back from poor form. adam voges is having best technique, temperament and foot work. voges is best suited in middle order. klinger, roger can replace cowan. ;ook at the international stats of JAQUES.

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | April 23, 2012, 11:22 GMT

@jmcilhinney... Yes many forget about Onions - one of those v.g. players that is not considered a 1st pick due to the quality around him... Reminds me of our current selector Andy Bichel(@y.o.33) that was dumped early in 2004 along with Michael Bevan (@y.o.33) - & people complain about our current selectors... lol... What Oz could do with a Bevan in our current Test team - a good chinaman bowler who averaged 24 with a SR of 44 & a handy batsman under pressure that never panicked...

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | April 23, 2012, 11:21 GMT

@LesGrossman... I think MJ has a future in ODI's & possibly T20... Both MJ & Bollinger have done well for Oz in this format & shouldn't be discarded without a fair go when both are available & fit... Also Klinger (31) isn't "mid 30's" - if so what does that make Ponting & Hussey?... Klinger could easily play for 4/5 years at FC level... You & the NSP obviously have different outlooks for our near future teams - perhaps put up your Oz & Oz A teams so we can discuss it?...

@LesGrossman... Agree on Bailey, he is much more than just a batsman, his captaincy skills are probably the best in SS bringing an average team to the top of Shield & OD'ers over the last few years... Compare the players in NSW, Vic, Qld, WA with Tassie & they have out performed their much more fanciful opposition across both formats... His ability on the seaming Tas pitches must be a factor for duties against Eng...

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | April 24, 2012, 9:44 GMT

@LesGrossman... Nice to read a good reply - agree with much you say... I think Burns is a prospect that needs more higher reps to show us his skills - he's done well so far in FC from the games I've seen... Surprised no one picks up Tom Coopers growing form - who like Klinger has to play every 2nd match away from Adelaide & have some of their best scores away from home... Also agree about MJ at Test level - just hasn't followed through with any consistency... Re: Aust A - the NSP have already given this years AIS (CoE) squad, with many having a chance at being in the Eng A tour this winter -- Burns, Finch, Hughes, Lynn, Maddinson, M Marsh, Paine, Patterson, S Smith... Bowlers include Bird, NC-N, Cummins - though I think Cutting, Butterworth would be good in Eng conditions...

POSTED BY
LesGrossman
on | April 24, 2012, 0:08 GMT

Bailey, I will concede, think he maybe starting to show his full promise, Dan Christian (can bat, just don't confuse him with the slogger we see in T20's and one dayers), David Hussey (yes he's old, but always makes runs, needs rewarding), Andrew McDonald (big fan since I saw him hit 160 off about 90 balls in a shield game) and as a roughie Peter Handscomb. Like the kid big time, he'll open for Oz in 3-4 years. I think the current aussie batting line up is where it should be,they are the best we have but needs better coaching. The bowlers got better coaching under Craig McDermott and now that is a real strength. The batting coaching needs to be simpler, modern batting coaching goes away from the basics of watch the ball and play each ball on it's merit. All McDermott did was tell the bowlers to pitch it up and bowl at the top of off stump. I know this as I still play grade cricket with and against state players and when you talk batting with them they over complicate a simple task.

POSTED BY
LesGrossman
on | April 23, 2012, 23:46 GMT

@ zenboomerang, when it comes to to mitchell johnson I was discussing test cricket, not ODI's and T20's. You cannot hide the facts that his test stats were woeful for 3 years, not just for a "few matches" as AKS286 stated. Klinger has good stats, although he does bat on the easily the flattest track in Oz, Cowan has better stats on tougher decks the last 2 years, he will be ok. As for voges, I'm from WA and watch a lot of shield cricket, he used to nick off to gully 2 out of 3 innings, but this season he changed his game to cover the line better and had a good year, but needs to back up again. His career is one good season, then one average season. Jaques, well he last played test cricket 4 YEARS AGO, so if we were debating his selection 3 years ago, I would agree. He has NOT PERFORMED the last 2 seasons for NSW, FACT! Batters that need a look in for 'A' tour are Quiney, Liam Davis (needs another good season though), Joe Burns (young guy, can play), Forrest, Nevill (under rated)...

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 23, 2012, 17:45 GMT

@LesGrossman a/c to you all are bad then tell us whose left?

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 23, 2012, 17:38 GMT

@LesGrossman johnson played few matches not up to the mark but tell me any player who never face poor performance in their life? johnson batting is better compare to any tailender in this world. johnson is having speed, variety. he is still Oz best strike bowler in all format. if Oz will travel to asian pitch then pattinson, hilfy,cummins, harris will do nothing and lyon is like school boy for asian teams.mitch performance against asian teams are great. hilfy is the best example for bounce back from poor form. adam voges is having best technique, temperament and foot work. voges is best suited in middle order. klinger, roger can replace cowan. ;ook at the international stats of JAQUES.

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | April 23, 2012, 11:22 GMT

@jmcilhinney... Yes many forget about Onions - one of those v.g. players that is not considered a 1st pick due to the quality around him... Reminds me of our current selector Andy Bichel(@y.o.33) that was dumped early in 2004 along with Michael Bevan (@y.o.33) - & people complain about our current selectors... lol... What Oz could do with a Bevan in our current Test team - a good chinaman bowler who averaged 24 with a SR of 44 & a handy batsman under pressure that never panicked...

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | April 23, 2012, 11:21 GMT

@LesGrossman... I think MJ has a future in ODI's & possibly T20... Both MJ & Bollinger have done well for Oz in this format & shouldn't be discarded without a fair go when both are available & fit... Also Klinger (31) isn't "mid 30's" - if so what does that make Ponting & Hussey?... Klinger could easily play for 4/5 years at FC level... You & the NSP obviously have different outlooks for our near future teams - perhaps put up your Oz & Oz A teams so we can discuss it?...

POSTED BY
LesGrossman
on | April 22, 2012, 23:11 GMT

@AKS286... you must have not watched the last 2-3 years of Mitchell Johnson's career. His stock ball is a short wide ball, hence he averaged 50 plus and went at more than 4 an over in that time. His batting was ordinary in that time as well. Harris is comfortably a better player. And you don't just select a bloke coz he is a left armer, you pick your best team, and Johnson isn't in it.As for Jaques, well just check his stats over the last 2 Shield seasons and you'll know why he shouldn't be in the NSW team let alone test cricket.Thornley doesn't have a state contract, Feruson only makes runs in 50 over cricket, rogers and klinger are good players but are mid 30's in age, cosgrove is a player but has weight issues, voges, birt, bailey, finch arn't good enough, while hughes and north got found out at test level. Which leaves Quiney, and that guy has to be the next in line. 1 out of 13 ain't bad, just stop using stats from the 2007/08 season for credibility.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | April 22, 2012, 22:57 GMT

@landl47 - the difference between SS level & Test level is experience. ATM - our bowling stocks are overflowing woh talent, some of which won't make it or break thru at Test level, but most I think will. With regards our batting, there aren't as many diamonds superficially, but that may be due to a couple of seasons of bowler dominated results. Of the next generation of batsmen coming through, IMO, they won't find the step up to tests quite as daunting as the worst S/S bowling line ups are at about Test quality, (read Sth Oz who have George, Christian & Lyon as Internationals & a very useful Putland). Regardless, the difference between the top sides in Test cricket are minimal as it is.

POSTED BY
jmcilhinney
on | April 22, 2012, 13:49 GMT

@AKS286, I agree except Dernbach. He is definitely not ready for Test cricket. He may be by the time the Ashes rolls around but certainly not yet. He may well play in the upcoming ODIs but that a different kettle of fish. Some may disparage him but he will likely be more effective in England than he was in India. He also performed quite well in UAE. Some may also disparage Onions too but he is performing well in CC at the moment and, while he may not be at the top of the pecking order, he's played at the top level before and would certainly not let England down if they needed to call on him.

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 22, 2012, 10:52 GMT

@randyoz yes very talented pace bowlers and good to see the upcoming ashes with the bowler dominated bcoz anderson, broad, bresnan, finn, onion, dernbach is also ready .... awesome contest.

POSTED BY
RandyOZ
on | April 22, 2012, 9:08 GMT

@AKS286 I Have been saying that COulter-Nile is the next big thing for a while. He will carve up in test cricket. With Pattinson and Cummins you are looking at the most brilliant young bowling brigade on the planet.

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 22, 2012, 7:27 GMT

harris/ johnson i think johnson has more experience in every type of pitches and countries, perform in crucial matches, two year younger than harris, left arm fast must be in the team bcoz the angle they get, bats well. Johnson is better.
@chris_p another talent i.e jaques which can't be managed by Oz. bad news.but voges must play in the middle order.voges technique, foot work is one of the best in Oz players.@ b_t_b_arm good to see a competition between coulter nile and pattinson if both are playing together. coulter nile is the NEXT BIG THING in the WORLd. @ carpathian khawaja is a very much ordinary avg but highly over rated player by some special fans & people.

POSTED BY
Hippiantor
on | April 22, 2012, 6:19 GMT

@land47 This is by far most talented yet unproven group of fast Aus bowlers I've seen in my (rather short) lifetime. Pattinson, Starc, Cummins have tremendous upside; they are all under 23, swing the ball and bowl 145km+. Couter-Nile, Bird, and McDermott aren't that far behind. True, atm the cupboard is bare in regards to batsman ready for Test match level, but the potential of Khawaja, Lynn, Burns, Maddinson, M.Marsh, and to a lesser extent Bailey and Forrest is huge. The results still aren't quite there yet. Come 12 months time, you Poms could possibly be in for a shock.

POSTED BY
landl47
on | April 22, 2012, 5:44 GMT

@katandthat: aren't you getting a bit confused between a lot of SS-level talent, which Australia has, and a lot of test-level talent, which as of now it is lacking? Clarke is doing a great job keeping the pieces together, but Ponting and Hussey are getting to the end of their careers and there's no-one of comparable talent to replace them. None of the batsmen you've mentioned have shown they can handle the step up from SS to tests. The bowling looks a bit better, but Harris is fragile, Siddle and Hilf have had a couple of series against England and lost both and Pattinson and Cummins are very young and, at the moment, can't stay fit. The others are asyet untried. I'm sure, being Australian, they'll make up in fighting spirit some of what they lack in talent, but this really is the least talented pool of Australians I've seen in the last 30 years.

POSTED BY
katandthat3
on | April 22, 2012, 5:29 GMT

Apologies to Quiney & O'Keefe who should also be in the mix for shorter formats. So plenty of depth really.

Some of the other names mentioned just confirm we have plenty of talent in Australia. Bowling wise adding to the guys I mentioned earlier, Mitch Marsh, Coulter-Nile, Bird, McDermott, Herrick, Copeland it's looking pretty good. Injuries are a concern, so having a squad of ten quicks that get exposure in ODI & T20 is important. Batting wise there is plenty of talent as well, just depends on who hits form when opportunities arise. The guys in the queue like Bailey, Forrest, Khawaja, Hughes, Shaun Marsh, Ferguson, Liam Davis, Finch, Lynn need runs early next season. Lads like Burns, Maddinson, Patterson and Handscomb are big players of the future and think that some of that might come sooner. They saw something in Steve Waugh and promoted him early, I think Burns could be similar. Spinners, more of a concern. Lyon will continue to improve, Beer is steady and I'll be interested to see how Hauritz comes back from injury. Hopefully Boyce can keep developing and see how Smith goes too.

POSTED BY
Behind_the_bowlers_arm
on | April 21, 2012, 21:33 GMT

Ak, Hilfenhaus Harris & Starc will play the 3rd Test. Not sure if you've read but Phil Jacques is now England qualified so you can cross him off your list.
As for the A team squad Id hope Mitchell Marsh is fit by then as I'd like to see him in there too. It will be a big opportunity for a lot of batsmen as few of the current Test top 6 are set in stone for mine.

POSTED BY
Chris_P
on | April 21, 2012, 21:05 GMT

@AKS286 . Jaques is not an option. He has effectively retired from Australian cricket and settled to play cricket in England. Johnson, I am afraid is only favoured by a few. He is far, far too inconsistent to rate a regular spot. I agree, on his day, he is devastating, but those days are spaced too far apart now & we have a host of options before him, and young guys as well. I hope the selectors allow guys like Cummins, Pattinson et al to do the "A" tour rather than play in meaningless ODI's. Australian cricket will get far greater benefit from these guys playing fc cricket in England rather than the one day stuff.

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 21, 2012, 19:00 GMT

johnson still Oz best strike bowler in all format of the game no doubt. after mcgrath, gillespie,lee, he is the only bowler who played for aus continue sly and perform well. khwaja a too much overrated batsman. khawaja is a very much ordinary avg player. jaques, voges, rogers, klinger, hughes, finch, ferguson, cosgrove, quiney, thornely, birt, bailey,north, etc are far far better than khawaja.

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 21, 2012, 18:07 GMT

siddle, pattinson are injured so if only one spinner will play the 3rd test then Oz requires two pace bowlers. so hilfy and next two will be whom? i think Mckay and coulter Nile will be added to the squad. coulter nile is the next BIG thing for Oz if properly managed. ed cowan is still struggling. jaques/ voges are the best option or wade should open the innings. wade must bat to upper order bcoz spinner and WK are main problems arises before ashes.warner is a luck by chance batsman good for T20 and ODI. jaques, watson, wade, ponting, clarke, voges, hussey, coulter nile, mckay, beer, hilfy.

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | April 21, 2012, 17:55 GMT

Pattinson is not a good ODI bowler at this stage, but I suppose they could give him games to make him better. He doesn't have enough variety. He should go well in test matches in england, and Hilfenhaus should be quite a handful there. But Starc could be even better, as his swing and bounce would really work well in England. Starc is a better ODI bowler than Pattinson at this time.

POSTED BY
katandthat3
on | April 21, 2012, 14:43 GMT

I like your enthusiasm Mervo, when Mitch is back fit again I'd look to have him in the short forms of the game but he'd be further down the list for a test comeback. I've gone on a bit about Luke Butterworth previously but I would really like to see him given a go in UK conditions particularly with the up-coming A tour. His FC record is excellent and is handy with the bat and a great field. I would value a player who can genuinely move the ball than bowl quick gun straight especially in the UK. A squad of quicks for the next Ashes of Hilf, Harris, Watson, Cummins, Butterworth, Siddle & Patto and yes we might need to pick that many the way they keep breaking down.. Still a bit concerned about our batting. See how Warner, Cowan and Punter go in the last test, still not settled by a long shot and I don't think Forrest should be the next in line. If they wanted to promote on talent (and some handy averages) Joe Burns would be my pick. Handy if Maddinson has a big SS season next.

POSTED BY
Mary_786
on | April 21, 2012, 13:40 GMT

Hopefully guys such as Forrest and Khawaja can push their cases as we need these guys for the ashes, they are also better prospects then Cowan who looks out of his depth.

POSTED BY
on | April 21, 2012, 12:43 GMT

they should send pattinson, cummins, cutting, bird, johnson, butterworth, mcdermot to england for A tour as bowlers.
they should send cowan, davis, khwaja, forrest, quiney, maddinson, burns to england for A tour as batsmen.
allrounders can be jimmy hopes and okeefe.
keeper can be hartley
other players not mentioned will be rested or have toured england and ireland in the odi's previously.

POSTED BY
on | April 21, 2012, 12:39 GMT

Mitchell Johnson? Only bring him back to make more KFC commercials.

POSTED BY
jmcilhinney
on | April 21, 2012, 11:29 GMT

Given that Pattinson didn't perform all that well in the CB series against SL and India, I'm not sure the selectors would be all that bothered about leaving him out the series against England. I'm sure that he figures in their medium- to long-term plans in both Tests and ODIs at least, and maybe T20s too, but I'm sure that keeping him healthy and getting him prepared for the Ashes is the #1 priority, and this seems the best way to achieve that. I wonder what the make up of that Austrlaia A tour will be, i.e. FC and/or LO against counties and/or Lions. FC would obviously be the best Ashes prep. I'd be interested to see the next generation of potential England Test batsmen up against the likes of Pattinson & Cummins.

POSTED BY
Bigskyrocket
on | April 21, 2012, 11:26 GMT

johnson!! you must be joking?

POSTED BY
Mervo
on | April 21, 2012, 10:35 GMT

Bring back Mitchell Johnson!

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
Mervo
on | April 21, 2012, 10:35 GMT

Bring back Mitchell Johnson!

POSTED BY
Bigskyrocket
on | April 21, 2012, 11:26 GMT

johnson!! you must be joking?

POSTED BY
jmcilhinney
on | April 21, 2012, 11:29 GMT

Given that Pattinson didn't perform all that well in the CB series against SL and India, I'm not sure the selectors would be all that bothered about leaving him out the series against England. I'm sure that he figures in their medium- to long-term plans in both Tests and ODIs at least, and maybe T20s too, but I'm sure that keeping him healthy and getting him prepared for the Ashes is the #1 priority, and this seems the best way to achieve that. I wonder what the make up of that Austrlaia A tour will be, i.e. FC and/or LO against counties and/or Lions. FC would obviously be the best Ashes prep. I'd be interested to see the next generation of potential England Test batsmen up against the likes of Pattinson & Cummins.

POSTED BY
on | April 21, 2012, 12:39 GMT

Mitchell Johnson? Only bring him back to make more KFC commercials.

POSTED BY
on | April 21, 2012, 12:43 GMT

they should send pattinson, cummins, cutting, bird, johnson, butterworth, mcdermot to england for A tour as bowlers.
they should send cowan, davis, khwaja, forrest, quiney, maddinson, burns to england for A tour as batsmen.
allrounders can be jimmy hopes and okeefe.
keeper can be hartley
other players not mentioned will be rested or have toured england and ireland in the odi's previously.

POSTED BY
Mary_786
on | April 21, 2012, 13:40 GMT

Hopefully guys such as Forrest and Khawaja can push their cases as we need these guys for the ashes, they are also better prospects then Cowan who looks out of his depth.

POSTED BY
katandthat3
on | April 21, 2012, 14:43 GMT

I like your enthusiasm Mervo, when Mitch is back fit again I'd look to have him in the short forms of the game but he'd be further down the list for a test comeback. I've gone on a bit about Luke Butterworth previously but I would really like to see him given a go in UK conditions particularly with the up-coming A tour. His FC record is excellent and is handy with the bat and a great field. I would value a player who can genuinely move the ball than bowl quick gun straight especially in the UK. A squad of quicks for the next Ashes of Hilf, Harris, Watson, Cummins, Butterworth, Siddle & Patto and yes we might need to pick that many the way they keep breaking down.. Still a bit concerned about our batting. See how Warner, Cowan and Punter go in the last test, still not settled by a long shot and I don't think Forrest should be the next in line. If they wanted to promote on talent (and some handy averages) Joe Burns would be my pick. Handy if Maddinson has a big SS season next.

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | April 21, 2012, 17:55 GMT

Pattinson is not a good ODI bowler at this stage, but I suppose they could give him games to make him better. He doesn't have enough variety. He should go well in test matches in england, and Hilfenhaus should be quite a handful there. But Starc could be even better, as his swing and bounce would really work well in England. Starc is a better ODI bowler than Pattinson at this time.

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 21, 2012, 18:07 GMT

siddle, pattinson are injured so if only one spinner will play the 3rd test then Oz requires two pace bowlers. so hilfy and next two will be whom? i think Mckay and coulter Nile will be added to the squad. coulter nile is the next BIG thing for Oz if properly managed. ed cowan is still struggling. jaques/ voges are the best option or wade should open the innings. wade must bat to upper order bcoz spinner and WK are main problems arises before ashes.warner is a luck by chance batsman good for T20 and ODI. jaques, watson, wade, ponting, clarke, voges, hussey, coulter nile, mckay, beer, hilfy.

POSTED BY
AKS286
on | April 21, 2012, 19:00 GMT

johnson still Oz best strike bowler in all format of the game no doubt. after mcgrath, gillespie,lee, he is the only bowler who played for aus continue sly and perform well. khwaja a too much overrated batsman. khawaja is a very much ordinary avg player. jaques, voges, rogers, klinger, hughes, finch, ferguson, cosgrove, quiney, thornely, birt, bailey,north, etc are far far better than khawaja.